Unions are concerned that up to 350,000 Australian workers are searching for jobs in the very occupations where employers are continuing to use 457 visa workers. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said rates of unemployment and underemployment were rising in industries where bosses argue they can't find local workers. "Nurse graduates,…

In order to stand up for the rights of future workers in the Federal Government's Green Army, the ASU has lodged a submission with the Senate's Inquiry. The Green Army is the Federal Government's work for the dole scheme connected to environmental concerns and issues. As proposed, many of the…

In a completely unbelievable move Qantas management have today announced to staff that they plan to close 2 of their 3 Australian based Qantas Telephone Sales centres in Brisbane and Melbourne in 6 – 9 months' time, shedding approximately 540 jobs while they will maintain 6 offshore Qantas / Jetstar…

The possible abolition of Australia's Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency will put lives in danger, unions warn. ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick called on the Abbott Government to stick to its pre-election commitment and continue supporting the agency including ensuring it is adequately funded into the future. "Demonstrating that the…

In a poll taken at the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Congress in Berlin, Germany, 90% of the voters overwhelmingly rejected the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal, supporting the statement that “the TPP should not go ahead and must be scrapped.” Only 10% of the voters agreed that “The…

Older workers are bearing the brunt of harsh, unfair and ill thought out policies that will erode the retirement security of low and middle income earners. ACTU Assistant Secretary Tim Lyons said that Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey's policies for superannuation and the age pension will hurt low and middle…

‘State of the Union’Address by ACTU President Ged Kearney to the ACTU Indigenous ConferenceTuesday, 20 May 2014Tiffins on the Park, Adelaide *** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY*** I wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Kaurna (pronounced: Ga-ur-na) peoples, and pay my respects to their…

The ASU and ALAEA negotiating team and bargaining reps met with Emirates management in Sydney on 15 May 2014 to advise the company of the consultations we have held about the latest offer for a new agreement at Emirates. [Download the full bulletin below]    Emirates Bulletin, 20 May 2014

As Trade Ministers from 12 Pacific Rim countries meet in Singapore, fair trade, public health, environment, church, unions (including the ASU) and other community groups have endorsed a letter to Trade Minister Andrew Robb. The letter calls on the Minister to reject harmful proposals in the TPP, which should not…

Working Life is a news source for all workers, bringing you a range of stories. Read it, print it, share it! The latest is a special Budget edition and includes the following: Hockey takes axe to the social wage; Abbott and Hockey's lost generation; Hockey's horrorshow will hurt battlers most;…